Skin Rash Symptoms - Causes & Treatment

So it looks a little bumpy, but only in some spots. It’s kind of a reddish, pinkish color. It might be flaking or just a little scaly. The skin around it feels warm to the touch, and that looks like a pustule. This doesn’t sound so bad, right?

Skin conditions come in all different shapes, sizes, and severities. They might itch, burn, or swell. Skin rashes and irritations, also referred to as contact dermatitis, are skin reactions that appear as an itchy red rash on the skin. There are a number of causes, including:

• Chemicals
• Cleaning products and detergents
• Climate changes, like extreme heat or dry weather
• Eczema
• Latex
• Makeup
• Metals in jewelry
• Poison ivy
• Skin medications

Depending on the cause, skin rashes can become more severe than a simple case of poison ivy or a latex allergy. For instance, shingles is not something that can be treated at home. Symptoms of shingles include, but are not limited to:

• Headache
• Flu-like symptoms
• Painful, blistery rash

Seek medical attention to help diagnose and treat the cause of any unknown rash. A primary care physician or urgent care provider can evaluate your skin irritation and try to determine the cause. In most cases, a mild to moderate skin rash can be treated with topical anti-itch ointments and analgesics.